Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16797, Robert Finley, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Finley, Robert.
S. 16797
CONTENTS
Carded

Virginia 27 9.
Robert Finley of Frederick in the State of Va. who was a ser. in the Compy commanded by Captain Wiggins of the ————— commanded by ————— in the Va M a time for 10 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of $33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of April and del d Pensioned
  Arrears to the 4th of Mar 31  133.32    Pemi-ant. allowance ending 4/28/31  16.67     $149.99  
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Shatt. Rice Clerk Book 6 Vol. 6 Page 13
  del 28 April 1835  M a P. Van Klief    " " "  Rich Anderson    " 7 Oct.  Brakerough    " "  R. G. Atchison  
Dale of death not in all
+

Virginia
Frederick county to wit.
This day appeared before the undersigned Justice of the peace in and for the said county of Frederick and State of Virginia - Margaret Finley wife of Archibald Finley, and being first duly sworn according to law, on her oath declares, that she is about seventy the 70th years of age in this present month (April) that she became acquainted with Robert Finley previous to his the applicant for a pension, previous to his entering into the service of the United States as a volunteer - has frequently understood that Captain John Smith commanded the company in the War of the revolution - in which he served that she will recollect the time the said Robert Finley started from Winchester which she believes was early in the month of August 1779. That she also recollects when the said Finley returned home from his term of service and to the best of her recollection and it was about Christmas or a little after that he did return home - and further the deponent saith not. Given under my hand this day of 1835.
I a Justice of the peace for the county of Frederick & State of Virginia do hereby certify that Margaret Finley is a credible person and is entitled to credit on her oath
The Justice who administers the oath to Mrs. Finley will please transcribe the forms, on the blank sheet of paper attached to the proceedings in court (It is not necessary to transcribe this note). In transcribing the above forms commence immediately under the county seal.

(Declaration)
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832
State of Virginia
Fredrick County to wit
On this Seventh day of April 1835 personally appeared in open court in the said County of Fredrick and State aforesaid Robert Finley a soldier of the Revolution aged 73 years in the present month and being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he volunteered in the army of the United States in the year 1778 early in the month of August under Capt. Arch d Wiggens for a six months tour in the militia of Hampshire County Virg a joined his company at Romney in Virginia and marched to the Ohio River, crossed it and joined the army on the North West side at the mouth of Big Brain under the command of Genl. McIntosh (and assisted in building a fort on the Ohio called Fort McIntosh from thence the army marched to the head or near the head of Muskingum river and on the waters of said river built another fort called Fort Laurence from which place the Militia were dismissed without written discharges. The deponent served up- wards of four months in this tour. The deponent with the others performed a most arduous service suffering frequently for provisions (and much exposed to the inclemency of the weather)
In the month of August 1779 early in the month deponent again volunteered for a six months tour in the Militia of Virg a

in the county of Frederick (and) joined the company commanded by Capt. John Smith. Marquis Calmes was first Lieutenant (and) George Bell ensign. The company marched from Winchester Frederick County Virginia and passed through the counties of Culpepper and Orange in Virginia, joined the army at Richmond commanded by Genl. Muhlenburg and Weedon. From Richmond the army marched down James River, crossing the said River at Cabbin point*. From thence to Petersburg in Virginia, lay there about two weeks and was dismissed without written discharges. In this tour deponent served about five months to the best of his recollection and belief.
To best of deponents recollection in the latter end of the winter or spring of 1780 the deponent laboured for about two months in assisting to build the "Barracks" near the "Round Hill" in the county of Frederick in Virginia commonly called "the Won- hite Barracks" for the safe keeping of the prisoners taken from the British army in the war of the Revolution. The Barracks were built under the direction of Col. David Kennedy of Winchester.
Deponent again volunteered to best of his recollection in the winter of 1781 to guard the British prisoners when they were removed from Winchester barracks in Virginia to Lancaster in Pennsylvania. He was about two months on this tour of duty. Philip Stephens was our Capt. (and) Peter Huskell our Lieutenant.
And the said Robert Finley hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present (and) he declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of any agency in any State or territory whatever.
Robert Finley
Summers in Court April 7 th 1835
J. F. Bruce 66
* From hence the army marched to Mackays mill

Interrogaries propounded to the said Robert Purley the applicant by the court
1 st When and in what year were you born
ans. I was born in Bucks county in the state of Pennsylvania on the 23 rd April 1762. So says the record of my age.
2 nd Have you any record of your age, and if so when is it
ans. I have the record of my age in my own house. It is proper to refer to state that this record is transcribed from the record in my father's family bible.
3 rd Where were you living when called into the service? where have you lived since the Revolutionary war? and where do you now reside
ans. I lived in the county of Frederick in the neighbourhood of Winchester when called into service. Since the war I lived a considerable part of my time in Fairfax county Virginia. For the last seven years I have resided in Frederick county Virginia.
4 th How were you called into service? were you drafted? did you volunteer? or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom?
ans. I was a volunteer in every tour I served; was not drafted nor a substitute.
5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served? such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your services
ans. In McIntosh's campaign Genl. McIntosh was commander in chief and his son was one of his aid-campers bore the rank of Major. I don't recollect his christian name. Col o John Gibson and Col o Broadhead commanded the two regular regiments. Applicant does not recollect the number of the regiments. He volunteered under Capt o John Smith in his second tour marched to Richmond Virginia joined the regular army commanded by Genl. Muhlenburg and Weedon, Charles

Magill for the rank of major in the regular army and our company was placed under his command
6 th Did you ever receive a written discharge from the service; and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it?
Ans. I never received a written discharge in any instance. I was verbally discharged by the officers. The general circumstances of my services are declared in the body of my declaration.
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neigh- borhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Ans. I do not know any person in my present neighborhood except the wife of my brother Archibald Finley who can give any information on the subject and she is a very aged and infirm woman and unable to attend court without great inconvenience. There is no clergyman resident in my neighborhood who can give any information on the subject. Capt. Peter Sauck of Winchester and Frederick Shilly and others can give in- formation on this subject. There are two very aged and infirm individ- uals now residing in Hardy County about sixty or seventy miles from Winchester neither of whom is able to attend Frederick Court, to wit, Jacob Yoakum and Doct. Fisher who can testify as my service in McIntosh's campaign.
Robert T. Finley "
Sworn to in open court
J. D. Fithian Clk.
And the Court do declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
I Thomas Allen Fithian, Clerk of the County Court of Frederick in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the

matter of the application of Robert Finley, for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 7 th day of April 1835 and in the 59 th Year of the Commonwealth
J. S. Bell
Virginia
Fredrick Blythe Wirt
This day appeared before the undersigned Justice of the peace in & for the said County of Fredrick and State of Virginia, Margaret Finley, and being first duly sworn according to Law, on her Oath declares, that she is about Seventy three Years of age, this present month (April) that she became acquainted with Robert Finley the applicant for a pension, previous to his entering into the service of the united states as a Volunteer - has frequently understood that Capt John Smith commanded the company in the War of the Revolution in which he served, that she will recollect the time the said Robert Finley started from Winchester, which she believes was early in the month of August - 79 that she recollects when the when the said Finley returned home from his tour of service, and to the best of her recollection & belief, it was about Christmas or a little after that he did return home and further the deponent saith not. Given under my hand this 20 th day of April 1835 A. L. Gordon JP
I Nath L Gordon a Justice of the peace for the County of Fredrick & State of Virginia do hereby certify that Margaret Finley is a Credable person and is entitled to belief on her Oath. A. L. Gordon JP

Virginia: Thomas Allen Adball clerk of the Court of Frederick County, certify that Nash L. Gordon Esq. is a magistrate as with -in, and that the foregoing Signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my Seal of office and Subscribed my name this 23 rd day of April in the year 1835
T. Adball
Clerk of the Court of Frederick County
State of Virginia Frederick County S il z
This day personally appeared before the Subscriber a justice of the peace in & for S d County Agnes Rops of S d County, aged seventy two on the 17 th of March last; & being first duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith; that she was residing at the time, about three miles from the Round Hill in Fred k County Va near which the "Barracks" were constructed. That Robert Finley (the present applicant for a pension) lived in the same neighbourhood & the two families were on terms of close intimacy. That she has no recollection of dates, but has a perfect recollection of S d Robert Finley's being engaged for a considerable time, at work upon the "Barracks", & also going to guard the British prisoners to Lancaster in Pennsylvania & further this Deponent saith not
Given under my hand & Seal this 25 th day of April 1835
Thomas Molston
Seal
I Thomas Molston a justice of the Peace for the County of Frederick do hereby certify that Agnes Rops (the above Deponent)

This day personally appeared
the Subscriber a justice of the peace in & for the County of Agnes Rops of said County, aged seventy two on the 17th of March last; & being first duly sworn according to law deposed & saith; that she was residing at the time, about three miles from the Round Hill in Fred'k County to a place near which the "Barracks" were constructed. That Robert Finley (the present applicant for a pension) lived in the same neighbourhood & the two families were on terms of close intimacy. That she has no recollection of dates, but has a perfect recollection of sd Robert Finley's being engaged for a considerable time, at work upon the "Barracks", & also going to guard the British prisoners to Lancaster in Pennsylvania & farther this Deponent saith not
Given under my hand & Seal this 25 th day of April 1835 Thomas Molston Seal
I Thomas Molston a justice of the peace for the County of Loudoun, do hereby certify that Agnes Rops, (the above Deponent) is a woman of the most respectable appearance & deportment & that I am firmly impressed with the truth of her statements
Given under my hand & Seal this 25 th day of April one thousand eight-hundred & thirty five
Virginia Thomas Molston Seal
I Charles Binns Clerk of the Court of Loudoun do certify that Thomas Molston Esq r is a Magistrate as here and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have here affixed my Seal of Office this 27 th day of April in the Year 1835
Charles Binns Clerk of the Court of Loudoun

February 5, 1940
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Emma B. Grubb Franklin Indiana
ROBERT FINLEY S. 16797 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
You are furnished herein the record of Robert Finley as found in pension claim, S. 16797, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Robert Finley was born April 23, 1762, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania; the names of his parents were not given.
While residing near Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, Robert Finley volunteered early in August, 1778, served four months as private in Captain Archibald Wiggins' Virginia company, went on General McIntosh's expedition to Ohio and assisted in building Forts McIntosh and Laurens. He volunteered again early in August, 1779, and served five months as private in Captain John Smith's company under Major Charles Magill in the Virginia troops. He served two months in 1780, engaged in building Winchester Barracks in Frederick County, Virginia, under the direction of Colonel David Kennedy. He volunteered again in the winter of 1781 and served two months as private in Captain Philip Helphinstone's company, engaged in guarding prisoners from Winchester Barracks to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
After the Revolution, the soldier resided for considerable time in Fairfax County, Virginia, but had again resided in Frederick County, that state, for seven years, when he was allowed pension on his application executed April 7, 1835.
Margaret Finley, who was born in April, 1762, wife of soldier's brother, Archibald Finley, made affidavit in 1835 in Frederick County, Virginia, in support of soldier's claim for pension. There are no further family data shown in the claim.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the

name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of Robert Finley, the soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Robert Finley, certificate #29919, issued April 28, 1835, rate $33.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Virginia Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

16.797 INVALID.
File No. 16.797 Robert Finley Pro New War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 126
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1915. Jan 30: History to Mrs. Helene Daily. M.B.H.
1933. Feb 11. Hist. to Mrs C.C. Van Scay. Letter in case of Robt. Finley D. 16797-801
1940 Feb. 5 - Hist to Mrs Emma Bruff (in clu. 88724 g.m. Hugh) M.B.H. 1940 July 3 - Mrs. E. Bruff incl. no other Robt. Finley in Pa & her pamphlets returned. M.B.H.

State of Virginia
Hardy County to wit
2
This day personally appeared
before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid Jacob Yoakum and being first duly sworn according to law, on his oath says that he knew a man in the army during McIntosh's Campaign by the name of Robert Finley, and from various circumstances which (Robert Finley who has made application before the County Court of Hardy for a pension) has called up to his recollection he believes he is the same man. If Robert Finley the Applicant is the same man he recollects being here in the service both at Fort Saratoga & Fort McIntosh and further this deponent saith not. Given under my hand this 14th day of April 1834
Virginia
Hardy County - S.S.
John Hopewell
I James Carr Gamble clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that John Hopewell Esq. whose name is signed above, is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in Hardy County duly commissioned & sworn; and that his signature thereto is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my Court this 15th day of April 1835.
James Carr Gamble

Re Nicholas
Q17 103-
92
Quora. 18 27 Page 387

Dept of War Penna Off Oct 7/1831-
Sir
I have the day instructed the agent or Purchaser to correct the error made in reporting the name of Robert Finley Yours Respectfully,
Robert McChesney Esq Purchaser for

Aurora Ill 1/25/1915
Dear Sir;
I am so delighted with your reply to my letter of the 18" I am going to ask another question. Have you any record of Elisha Adams Born July 5/1733 Canterbury Conn. of applying for or receiving a pension? Have you any record of Robert Dr Finley Born in 1750 v in Bucks Co Penna?

The latter is my ancestor and I joined the DAR in his service, but I never knew if he rec'd a pension
Your last letter made 6 women happy as they had lived to become members of our Chapter and had lacked some dates but now it's all clear sailing —
Thanking you for your trouble, I am
Respectfully yours Mrs Helen Daily Over

Address
Mrs Helene Daily 73 N Root St Aurora, Ill.
AK

MRS. EMMA B. GRUBB FRANKLIN, INDIANA
FEB 13 1940 Feb. 12. 1940.
Mr. C. B. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Dear Sir,
Thanks so much for the information concerning our family history. I certainly will write to the address you gave me in regard to the bounty land granted Hannah Finley Hough. I have a lot of Finley material. In looking it over I wonder if the Robert Finley you refer to might have been my great, great grandfather, if so the date of his birth is incorrect. In some of the records I have, his birth is supposed to be between 1755 & 1760. I have the family record of births and deaths taken from the Hough Bible. It contains the birth and death records of Robert W. Finley. I am mailing some folders written by a cousin. When I gave him the picture of Hannah Finley Hough I suggested his picture should appear in the new folder. The future generation would appreciate it as we do J. B. Finley's autobiography. Sincerely
Emma B. Grubb

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Robert Finley , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 16,797
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug. 1778 4 mos. Priv. Archibald Wiggins ✓ Va.   Aug. 1779 5 mos. John Smith Major Charles Magill   1780 2 mos. ✓ David Kennedy   Winter 1781. 2 mos. Philip Beighelton  
Battles engaged in, None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Frederick Co (near Winchester) Va.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 7. 1835. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Frederick Co. Va.
Age at date of application, born in Bucks Co. Penn. Apr 23. 1762.
Remarks: There is no family data on file.
Only Robert Finley of Bucks Co Penn found in the Rev war records
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

February 11, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EBL
Robert Finley-S.16797
Mrs. C.C.VanScoy 428 Hornor Avenue Clarksburg, West Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Philip Booher and Robert Finley, soldiers of the Revolutionary War residing in Frederick County, Virginia, in 1840.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made in your behalf and no claim for pension found based upon the service in that war of any soldier with surname Booher: a pension claim has been found of a Philip Peter Bucher or Bucker, who made application for a pension while residing in Frederick County, Virginia: the history of that soldier is furnished you herewith, also that of Robert Finley which follows:
The data given herein are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16797, based upon the service of Robert Finley in that war.
Robert Finley was born April 23, 1762, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
While residing near Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, he volunteered in August, 1778, served four months in Captain Archibald Wiggins' Virginia Company, went on General McIntosh's expedition to Ohio, and assisted in building Fort McIntosh and Fort Laurens: he volunteered in August, 1779, and served five months in Captain John Smith's Company under Major Charles Magill in the Virginia Troops: in 1780, he served two months and assisted in building Winchester Barracks in Frederick County, Virginia, under the direction of Colonel David Kennedy: in the winter of 1781, he again volunteered and served two months in Captain Philip Helpheuston's Company and guarded prisoners from Winchester Barracks to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Could not verify any of these officers except Major Chas Magill

After the Revolution, Robert Finley lived for considerable time in Fairfax County, Virginia, but had again resided in Frederick County, Virginia, for seven years, when he was allowed pension on his application executed April 7, 1835.
In the above year, Margaret Finley, born in April, 1762, and the wife of soldier's brother, Archibald Finley, made affidavit on Frederick County, Virginia, in support of soldier's claim. There are no further data as to family.
Very truly yours
Handwritten notes: Pg 1, 1835, 67 8 V. p. 11, R. 3, 3 1 C 8 200 1835, 1: R. 3, 29919. p 4/28/35 rate $93 33 3/4/31, act 4/7/32, 72 Ag.
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator.

February 5, 1940
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MHIF:MLB
Mrs. Emma B. Grubb Franklin Indiana
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you furnish further information in regard to Joseph Hough, War of 1812 soldier, and in which you state that his father, William Hough, was in the Revolutionary War, also Robert W. Finley, the father of Hannah Finley Hough, Joseph's wife.
The record of Joseph Hough (W. O. 3657) is furnished you, herewith, and the Revolutionary War records of a William Hough (S. 8724) and a Robert Finley (S. 16797), as they may be of interest to you in compiling your family history.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

July 3, 1940
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
aw ROBERT FINLEY S. 16797 BA-J/MHF:MLB
Mrs. Emma B. Grubb Franklin Indiana
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that the date of birth of Robert Finley (S. 16797), Revolutionary War soldier, which was furnished you February 5, 1940, is unlike the date of birth of Robert W. Finley as shown in your family records, which causes you to wonder if the one furnished you by this office were that of your great-great-grandfather. You enclosed, also, three folders containing genealogical data.
There is no other claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a Robert Finley of Virginia or Pennsylvania, therefore, this office has no other data to aid you.
Your folders are returned herewith, which, of course, will be of interest to members of your family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator